DLBF Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Stroke of Luck

Chapter 1, Part 4.3

Novel Title: ルーデンドルフ公と森の獣 (Duke Ludendorff and the Beast of the Forest)

Author：かわい有美子 (Kawai Yumiko)

Illustrator: 周防佑未 (Suoh Yuumi)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 藤森賢士 (Kenji Fujimori -MC), ユリアン ルーデンドルフ (Julian Ludendorff -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Even as a man, encountering someone with such a princely demeanour could be overwhelming.

“If Kenji says so, maybe I should keep it shaved for a while,” Julian said.

“No, you absolutely should keep it as it is! You should definitely stick with this look!” Fujimori insisted.

Though Julian might not have any clear plans on where he’s going—being someone who dislikes people and cities, he might not have any specific destinations—he definitely shouldn’t hide such beauty. On the contrary, it should be utilised effectively.

Even the Japanese lawyer who called Julian an eccentric recluse would likely change their expression if they saw his looks. With such a visage, Julian would seem to have the potential for a high income simply based on his appearance.

While his looks are exceptionally princely, and he could easily pass as a top male model, he is quite delicate and shy inside. At the very least, if it were up to Fujimori, that’s how he would describe Julian.

Knowing Julian’s delicate inner nature, Fujimori felt it was necessary to convey this. While his shyness and dislike of people might seem like an oddity given his looks, it was precisely for that reason that people should understand him.

“Does Kenji prefer me without a beard?”

“Rather, it definitely suits you better without one.”

“Is that so…” Julian, with a shy murmur, moved around the table and extended his hand to Fujimori. “Thank you, it’s very encouraging. And I’m happy.”

“You’re welcome.”

Realising this was likely a gesture of gratitude, Fujimori, now firmly grasped by Julian’s large, noble-looking hands, responded with a smile.

“An unexpected stroke of luck, right?”

“Ah, indeed, an unexpected stroke of luck,” Julian confirmed.

The subtle intonation made it initially hard to grasp. But Fujimori nodded, impressed by Julian’s mastery of complex Japanese phrases. Perhaps he was a kanji enthusiast; it seemed some foreigners develop a fascination with kanji simply because they look cool.

“I’m glad to hear that. I was feeling quite tragic earlier. But if Kenji likes it, I’m happy.”

With that, Julian, with a childlike smile, wrapped his arm around Fujimori’s shoulder.

Fujimori was surprised by the unexpected physical closeness from someone he had only thought of as shy and reserved. But the pleasant scent he detected quickly made him forget his surprise. 

As he inhaled the alluring fragrance deeply within Julian’s embrace, he wondered what it was. It wasn’t quite a scent from soap or perfume but had a natural quality to it. It was somewhat spicy yet sweet and damp. It was completely unfamiliar to him.

He almost wondered if it was something like a spring fragrance and recalled that musk was commonly used in many perfumes. 

If it was something memorable, it should have left an impression somewhere in his memory. Perhaps he had smelled myrrh or frankincense at some point. But this wasn’t it.

The fragrance was so intoxicating that it almost made Fujimori feel unsteady.

“Now, let’s have breakfast,” Julian said, moving eagerly to take his seat.

Fujimori was wide-eyed, wondering if the absence of the beard made Julian’s movements and gestures appear so youthful. 

“After the massive earthquake this morning, and losing my beard… I’ve become quite nervous. But now I feel good,” Julian said.

Julian cheerfully picked up his cutlery. He seemed unusually talkative this morning.

“If you’d like, how about taking a walk around after breakfast? I’d like to check on the roses. The foxglove might also have bloomed by now,” Julian suggested with a smile, spreading a generous amount of butter on his bread.

Though it was rather presumptuous, Fujimori had initially thought it would just be a casual stroll around the garden. But if such a prince-like figure were to walk around, it made the idea seem entirely different. The word ‘stroll’ even seemed fitting. He had never seen anyone so perfectly suited to a whimsical summer morning walk through a forest path to see the roses.

“Alright then, I’ll accompany you,” Fujimori, who had secretly become a softie for  Julian’s looks, agreed.

Although he can’t quite explain why, it feels like he wants to spend much more time with someone as charming as this.

After all, with only a seven or eight-year difference, it’s not like one needs to force themselves to search for topics of conversation. Julian’s youthful appearance and demeanour made him instantly likeable.

Having lived under the same roof for a while, Fujimori had developed a great deal of fondness for Julian’s delicate kindness, and even a sense of friendship had formed. Julian might be a little nervous and difficult at times, but Fujimori thought that it might be a reflection of his sensitivity.

But now, Fujimori felt something much more intense and irresistible about Julian. Maybe it was because Fujimori realised that Julian was younger than he had thought, and that their actual age difference wasn’t as large.

Unlike yesterday when Fujimori had assumed Julian was over forty, the closeness in age brought a significant change in how he felt. Previously, Fujimori had been making an effort to find topics that would connect with someone nearly twenty years older.

Besides, Fujimori had never seen anyone with such a noble, handsome appearance. He thought Julian was far more classically beautiful than any recent foreign movie actor.

And of course, far more so than anyone in Japan. Just that alone made him feel quite pleased.

While drinking the coffee Frau Gesner had freshly brewed for him, Fujimori mused over how different Julian looked now compared to yesterday, wondering what had happened to that rugged bearded man from before.

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*Translator’s Note: That scent… I think it’s Julian’s pheromones. -K

Illustration 3:

Next update: 2024.11.03

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